How to Specify: Sinks

The Final Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, January 24. Get your brand in front of the AEC industry’s most renowned designers by submitting today.

 

While they may be ubiquitous everyday objects, sinks are really special. They can be mundane cleaning tools, flushing bacteria off of your hands and food, but they can also be places of sensual ritual where you bathe your skin in warm water and pat something refreshing on your face.

There is a wide variety of sinks. They range from the industrial to the delicate, and with custom sinks, you can get almost anything that you can imagine.

Sinks themselves are just the bowl that collects the water that comes out of the faucet. They are separate from the faucet and its accompanying hardware, and they usually are detached from the surface in which they sit, although some solid-surface products seamlessly connect counter to bowl. Sinks consist of a basin, rim, faucet, drain and trap, which connects the drain to the building’s plumbing.

 

Luna Counter-Sink 2 by MTI Baths

We talked to Chris Hawreluk, Manager of Special Projects at MTI Baths, about what goes into designing a great sink and how to pick the right one.

There is a variety of large companies from which you can pick for your sink, but a smaller company like MTI offers the chance to find something that your client may not have seen before or to design something custom. MTI is an American employee-owned company that handcrafts its products in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Their team trains new generations of sink and bath artisans to carry on the legacy of their work. “The older employees learn and then pass down to the next person in line,” Hawreluk said. “Most of our people come and don’t leave.”

Adopting new technologies like 3-D printing helps keep them up-to-date. Their President and Chief Design Officer, Russell Adams, oversees new designs and innovations, but they also work on custom products for large-scale projects for architects. Designers “come up with the concept, and [the company will] print it to make sure that the concept’s workable, and then depending upon how close they want to be to the project itself, they can come in at certain times and check molds to see whether or not we’re on track.”

Incline Counter-Sink by MTI Baths

While custom sinks are ultimately up to the tastes of the architect, Hawreluk pointed out some larger trends. About 10 years ago, “you’d see a lot of vessel sinks sitting on top of the counter. Shortly thereafter, it transitioned to the semi-recessed sinks, and now the clean-lined, integral or under-mounted sinks,” Hawreluk said. These products have fewer edges and tend to visually disappear and be easier to clean.

Codes

When asked what architects should keep in mind when selecting sinks, Hawreluk had two pieces of advice. The first was not to feel like ADA requirements are going to hold you back. “You can have a really nice clean-looking sink that complies to ADA regulations … Don’t overthink that.” The standards are national, so American suppliers are familiar with the demands of various project types and sizes.

Typical sink and overflow section; image via Prime Industries

The second piece of advice was to be more familiar with local plumbing codes. There is a bit of variability across the country for plumbing standards, and custom or niche products may get tripped up in certain areas. Overflows, Hawreluk pointed out, can be required in some areas for some uses and not in others. “When you go a little bit off the beaten track, make sure you check local codes to make your job easier.”

Mounting Type

There are many ways that your sink can attach to surrounding surfaces. Choosing the right kind for your project largely is a question of aesthetics, but certain kinds of sinks are easier to install, which means they are less likely to get value-engineered out.

Building: Ventura Lab by Ventura Estudio

• Drop-In/Self-Rimming: The sink’s weight is supported by a rim that extends above the countertop surface; most common and easiest to install. The rim of the sink sits on the countertop, supporting the sink’s weight. These sinks are ideal for existing spaces that can be readily modified.

Building: Single Thread by AvroKO

• Undermount: Installed below the countertop; offers a seamless look that allows for easy countertop cleanup; can only be used with waterproofed solid-surface countertops such as granite, marble or composite; high-strength epoxy or silicone caulk and metal anchors hold the undermount sink in position; generally more expensive than drop-in sinks. The rim of the sink itself is below the line of the counter, resulting in a sleek cohesive look that affords cleaning benefits.

Petra 12 Semi-Recessed sink by MTI Bath

• Semi-Recessed: Sits slightly below the countertop to blend the look of an above-counter sink with added depth.

FARM HOUSE FIRECLAY SINKS by Franke Kitchen

• Farmhouse/Apron: Forward-facing exposed sink replaces a section of the countertop; some styles include an integrated backsplash.

Building: Patio House by Bloot Architecture

• Integrated: Sinks that are integrated with their countertops, creating a sleek look and a seamless transition for easy cleanup.

Building: AP House Urbino by GGA gardini gibertini architetti

• Above Counter: Also known as a vessel sink. Sits above the counter and requires a pop-up drain. These sinks tend to offer a modern aesthetic, giving your space a unique look and user experience.

Building: Modern Oasis by SkB Architects

• Pedestal: A stand-alone sink. Pedestals take up minimal floor space given the slim profile of the supporting column.
• Vanity-Top: A combination of a sink basin and a vanity countertop.
• Wall-Mount: A sink directly mounted to the wall. These are a good choice for powder rooms or bathrooms with limited space.

Materials

You have a lot of choices when it comes to sink materials. Again, the choice largely is a matter of taste, but there are significant cost and maintenance differences to be aware of.

Building: Rio das Contas House by 151 Office Arquitetura

• Stainless Steel: Seventy percent of all sinks are made using stainless steel, and it’s the primary choice for commercial sinks. The main advantage rests in their hard nonporous surface, which is easy to care for and maintains durability. Stainless steel tends to be inexpensive and resistant to scratches, impact, ultraviolet rays, chemicals, heat and lime scale, but it can easily scratch and tends to show water spots from hard water and soap.

Building: Christ Church Spitalfields by Dow Jones Architects

• Porcelain: Thick, smooth, durable and easily cleans; however, its inflexibility can cause dishes to chip or break. Also known as vitreous china, porcelain provides a smooth, glossy stain-resistant surface. It’s durable and easy to clean, which makes it a go-to for bathrooms. This material is resistant to both discoloration and corrosion. Can chip if struck by heavy objects.
• Stone: Normally limestone, soapstone, marble, onyx or granite. A luxurious finish with natural color and veining. This material is ideal for under-mount basin installation. Because it’s porous, it’s prone to staining and requires routine sealing. Easy to clean if properly sealed, difficult to chip or break and customizable; generally expensive.

Building: China Live by AvroKO

• Solid-Surface: Possesses the look of natural stone, but it is a composite material. Easy to install and maintain. Often selected for vanity top sinks because it can form one seamless piece.
• Enamel-Coated Cast Iron: The smooth surfaces and edges make the surface easy to clean. Comes in a wide range of colors. After prolonged use, the enameling can chip and the bare iron will rust. Very strong and durable but also heavy, so it might require extra support in the sub-floor. Enamel normally has high gloss and rich hues, but abrasive cleansers can destroy the shine.
• Fireclay: Commonly associated with farm or apron sinks but comes in a variety of styles; generally more expensive.

Lucca by Thompson Traders

• Copper: Highly durable metal that does not rust, tarnish or require heavy maintenance; takes on an attractive aged patina over time; strong antimicrobial properties kill bacteria and viruses including E. coli. Often has a hammered finish. Comes in a variety of shades and is sealed to prevent corrosion.
• Glass: Because it is tempered or safety glass, it is a surprisingly strong sink material. Contact with heavy objects can cause scratches or chips. It is susceptible to water and soap spots.
• Fiberglass: Fiberglass-reinforced plastic can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes. It is inexpensive, strong and lightweight but generally does not have a long life. Doesn’t hold a shine as well as other surfaces and is not as durable.

Top image: Noken sink by Zaha Hadid for Porcelanosa

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The Final Entry Deadline for Architizer's 2025 A+Product Awards is Friday, January 24. Get your brand in front of the AEC industry’s most renowned designers by submitting today.